# 27 C.F.R. § 478.150 (2026): Alternative to NICS in certain geographical locations

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_150

## Section

- **Citation:** 27 C.F.R. § 478.150 (2026)
- **Heading:** Alternative to NICS in certain geographical locations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 27 CFR: Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms / Chapter II: BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE / Part 478: COMMERCE IN FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION / Subpart I: Exemptions, Seizures, and Forfeitures / § 478.150: § 478.150   Alternative to NICS in certain geographical locations.

## Text

(a) The provisions of § 478.102(d)(3) shall be applicable when the Director has certified that compliance with the provisions of § 478.102(a)(1) is impracticable because:
(1) The ratio of the number of law enforcement officers of the State in which the transfer is to occur to the number of square miles of land area of the State does not exceed 0.0025;
(2) The business premises of the licensee at which the transfer is to occur are extremely remote in relation to the chief law enforcement officer; and
(3) There is an absence of telecommunications facilities in the geographical area in which the business premises are located.
(b) A licensee who desires to obtain a certification under this section shall submit a written request to the Director. Each request shall be executed under the penalties of perjury and contain information sufficient for the Director to make such certification. Such information shall include statistical data, official reports, or other statements of government agencies pertaining to the ratio of law enforcement officers to the number of square miles of land area of a State and statements of government agencies and private utility companies regarding the absence of telecommunications facilities in the geographical area in which the licensee's business premises are located.
(c) For purposes of this section and § 478.129(c), the “chief law enforcement officer” means the chief of police, the sheriff, or an equivalent officer or the designee of any such individual.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1140-0045)
[T.D. ATF-415, 63 FR 58280, Oct. 29, 1998, as amended by ATF-11F, 73 FR 57242, Oct. 2, 2008]

## Nearby sections

- [27 C.F.R. § 478.141 (2026) § 478.141   General.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_141.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.142 (2026) § 478.142   Effect of pardons and expunctions of convictions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_142.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.143 (2026) § 478.143   Relief from disabilities incurred by indictment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_143.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.145 (2026) § 478.145   Research organizations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_145.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.146 (2026) § 478.146   Deliveries by mail to certain persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_146.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.147 (2026) § 478.147   Return of firearm.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_147.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.148 (2026) § 478.148   Armor piercing ammunition intended for sporting or industrial purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_148.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.149 (2026) § 478.149   Armor piercing ammunition manufactured or imported for the purpose of testing or experimentation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_149.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.150 (2026) § 478.150   Alternative to NICS in certain geographical locations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_150.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.151 (2026) § 478.151   Semiautomatic rifles or shotguns for testing or experimentation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_151.md)
- [27 C.F.R. § 478.152 (2026) § 478.152   Seizure and forfeiture.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_152.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T27_P478_S478_150. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.